Welcome to the OFC!
 The Online Fellwalking Club was founded on the 9th April 2001 at the height of the Foot and Mouth Epidemic to give fell and hillwalkers the chance to pacify their inaction during that sorry time. With the passing of the crisis the club continued to flourish. Although much of the action takes place on the Yahoo! Message Board this site will benefit strongly with input from the membership.
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 I was surprised that winder conditions held for so long this year. I often expect wintry hills in February, but travelling to Lakeland for a short Easter break saw the high fells with a good covering of snow. Arriving in The Lakes on Saturday 6th April, I immediately planned to walk on the Sunday in the hope I would catch the best conditions before any inevitable change in the weather. |
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 Over the years, the issue of waymarking has often been discussed, albeit briefly, on the OFC message board. Until recently, no formal debate has been had until a message I sent out to members provoked some familar responses. However, Helmut Hudler from Austria wanted to write an article for the club from his own point of view based on his own wanderings in and around the Alps. I know Helmut having met him and corresponded with him down the years. He is a keen walker and has visited the Lake District on a number of occasions. Not surprisingly, he believes some waymarking in Lakeland would help reduce the number of Mountain Rescue callouts as well as keep people to the path and reduce erosion. In some instances he goes as far as suggesting via ferrata style protection such as for the tricky section on Sharp Edge. His article discusses the issue and hopefully will move someone to a reply. |
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 After the amusement caused by the 2008 article entitled 'Bark Packing' I thought it was about time to test out mountain conditions on one of the canine offerings discussed in the article. Many thought it a novelty for dogs to have specifically designed mountain gear. Are these canine coats and boots just an expensive novelty or are they serious kit for the caring owner? Paul Burgess (Royal Marine) ventured onto Aonach Mor in the worst January conditions to test out Ruffwear's Cloud Chaser™ canine soft shell jacket. Did Lucy, his 9 year old West Highland Terrier, stay warm or was she dreaming about a fireside rug the whole day through?.... |
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 Modern life takes it's toll on family relationships. Alan Nolan and his son, Ian, found themselves distanced from each other following Alan's divorce from his son's mother. For 20 years, they were apart. Ian lived in Italy and Alan in the UK. We were separated by a physical as well as an emotional distance, recalls Alan, who was determined to reignite the bond with his son. |
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 Continuing a recent sojourn in Cumbria, I again utilised the YHA and this time stayed at Buttermere. What a hostel! It was a real treat to stay within such a fine establishment and the view I awoke to was spectactular. With a vista across the lake to High Stile and Red Pike, evening dinner and breakfast wasn't bad either, with a fine bottle of Jennings before retiring to bed! Packing up the car, soon saw me at Rannerdale and the prospect of paddling across Crummock Water to attack Mellbreak direct. |
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 The continued good fortune of being in Cumbria along with good weather, continued again on this outing, as a few OFC again gathered in Coniston. My intentions were not to stay in Coniston, but with £100 to give to Coniston MRT it seemed logical to overnight in Coniston for two nights in order to make the best of my time. Robbie K had already contacted me to say he would join me and Lorraine also hinted at a walk out. However, as with all things, matters can change but I was mighty pleased when those who said they would walk did so. Along with myself, Robbie, Lorraine and even Steven P joined me on the long ascent of the Walna Scar Road from the village. It really was a magic morning! |
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 As some of you are already aware, I set off for Lakeland a couple of weeks ago with 12 Wainwright fells left to climb. It really came as a bit of a surprise to me that I ever reached this stage! For many years I only managed to get a week's stay in Lakeland once a year & it doesn't seem long ago that I decided to have a go at completing. Read the news about Angela completing her 214! |
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 Inspired by the Hugh Walpole novels and the Herries Chronicles, Lindsey has written a family saga based in the Lake District. It follows the lives of the Keldas family who run a small farm in the fictionary village of Keld Head. Northern Spirit is the first of three novels in this series and covers David Keldas's story. It is available to buy on-line from most good book retailers and also an e-book version on Amozon Kindle. |
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 As a child I was lucky enough to inherit a great book from the then Bishop of Cumbria, Thomas Bernard Pearson who was also the Founder and Life President of the Achille Ratti Climbing Club. In the pre-Internet age, the photographs in the book really captured my imagination. Views such as that showing the huge overhanging cornices on Braeriach, the snow-covered castellations of Sail Mhor rising above Coire Mhic Fhearchair and a brooding view of Suilven from Elphin really stirred my imagination. Very soon, I was able to put the book to good use as a reference for a walk on the Five Sisters of Kintail when in the Sixth Form. I have used the book on a few occasions since, but I knew I had to take it with me to Aviemore this summer. Turning through the pages, I considered whether I was fit enough to undertake Ken Wilson's epic day walk taking in the Cairngorm four thousanders and with hindsight I am so glad I did. |
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| FROM OUR CORRESPONDENTS |
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 Yesterday Jill Rowland persuaded Jo, myself, Roger and Ann to join her in reducing her Wainwrights from 23 to go to 21 to go. Because of the high winds we opted not to climb high and to stay away from ridges - instead we headed to Watendlath to test out the waterproofness of our boots on High Tove and Armboth Fell.
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 A blue sky frosty morning today meant that a walk was irresistable and after defrosting the car (-6 degrees C overnight at Fornside) I headed for Chapel Bridge in the Newlands valley.
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"Just had to say, thank you for such a grand few minutes. I am 67 now and my knees are past the challenge of such a climb (Tryfan article) but it was great doing it again online with you." Sheelagh Finlay
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